Admiral Duncan, Soho, W1

Named after the admiral who defeated the Dutch at the appropriately named Battle of Camperdown in 1797, this pub dates from the start of the 19th century, but has obviously been rebuilt, possibly in the 20th. It has associations with Dylan Thomas and in 1999, three people died when the pub was nail bombed by a fanatic. I came here once before in early/mid-1985 and I’m not sure if it was a gay pub then, but today it’s at the heart of Soho’s gay village, boasting drag cabaret acts from the likes of Jade Justine, Tanya Hyde and Wilma Ballsdrop. Aside from the pub’s name in etched glass to the bar back, the place is very simple with no furniture, punters lined up along the bar and left wall, all angled towards the rear stage, with karaoke in full swing on my visit. I knew in advance not to expect a handpump – at least not one fixed to the bar – but the drinks range is unexceptional with just Eurofizz, a Kronenbourg arriving at £2.65 a half, served by a friendly barman. This place is ok for something different, but if it’s this busy on a Monday, I’d hate to think what it’s like come the weekend.

Another pub with no real ale in this street, another gay pub, perhaps they don't like it.

Official site of Admiral Duncan - www.admiral-duncan.co.uk

Official site of Admiral Duncan - www.admiral-duncan.co.uk